Thursday, April 2, 2009

MadBum

Starting pitcher
M.C. O'Connor

One of our newest Giants dazzled the Cactus League yesterday. Madison Bumgarner faced 10 batters and threw 45 pitches (33 strikes) in three innings. He gave up one hit and struck out four. MadBum was born on August 1st, 1989, meaning he'll turn 20 this year. He's got less than 150 IP of pro ball under his belt.

Matt Cain was born on October 1st, 1984. He threw almost 400 IP of minor league ball from 2002-2005, moving right up the ladder from rookie league to A-ball to AA and AAA before making his MLB debut a couple months shy of his 20th birthday at the end of the 2005 season. He was the youngest player in the majors that season. Cain was a first round pick (2002, 25th overall), like MadBum (2007, 10th overall). Both were drafted out of high school. Cain was 17 when he made his pro debut in the Arizona League.

So, mateys, when do we get to see this fellow--MadBum--in an SF uniform? Is it unrealistic to expect a September call-up? Tim Lincecum only threw 63 minor league innings, but he had NCAA experience (342 IP for the UW Huskies). And, well, he's Tim Freakin' Lincecum! Even if we don't see young Mr. Bumgarner this season, I expect he will be competing for a spot in the 2010 rotation next spring. Can you imagine--Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez and Bumgarner? Wow. That's some serious young talent!

3 comments:

Everything I've read so far indicates MadBum is something special. He struck out Manny Dreadlocks on 3 pitches! I bet he'll be ready for the big-time soon.Looks like I actually made a couple good roster calls- Holm down, Pablo behind the plate once a week, Frandsen down, Velez up.For some reason I remember an obscure prediction I made a long time ago- the season would depend on how well Glenallen Hill and Osvaldo Fernandez did. I've always considered that the lamest prognostication ever, but come to think of it, they both sucked and so did the team, as I recall.